March 2018

The Case Against Back Surgery Becoming More Evident

Are you and your physician considering having you undergo back surgery? It’s a huge decision that you wouldn’t take lightly, but for many it may seem like the only solution. There are actually around 600,000 back surgeries performed every year in North America, but some are beginning to question the need and effectiveness of them.

What are the most common back surgeries performed?

If there are so many back surgeries being performed annually, you may begin to wonder why. What surgeries are so common that everyone seems to need them at some point in their life? Are there other treatment options but many choose surgery anyway, or is surgery the only option?

The most common surgeries for the back are boiled down to four types. The first is a discectomy which is the removal of a portion of a herniated disc and the back of a vertebra, a surgery needed for common disc issues. The next would be a fusion which is going to connect two or more bones in your spine. Another is a laminectomy which removes the bone overlying the spinal canal. Lastly would be surgery to implant artificial disks.

How to decide on back surgery

Some of these surgeries could be related to lifestyle choices, making it one of the reasons that back surgery isn’t always necessary. For example, if you are overweight or sitting too often throughout the day, you may end up with disc issues that could have been prevented, but you could treat this by making better choices and getting the adjustments from a chiropractor.

Deciding on back surgery is a huge decision and you should take plenty of time to decide. Don’t rush into a back surgery decision; you should have all of the information first and time to think about it before going through with it.

If you ask the right questions and a get a second opinion, you’re on the right track of deciding on the surgery. You’ll want to know what the operation is, if it’s necessary, and what the risks and benefits are to such a procedure. It’s important to ask if there are other options that may be more conservative than the extreme of surgery.

Talk to another doctor since sometimes another doctor will tell you that they have another opinion about your condition. Your insurance company may actually require you to get a second opinion on a surgical procedure in order to use your insurance to cover it. Since it would be an electric surgery, you need to have a good reason to be doing it.

Are you willing to try a more natural and less invasive approach before agreeing to surgery? You may find that lifestyle changes and adjustments from your chiropractor over time can correct the problem which would save you from having to go through a surgery. These are the types of questions to ask yourself and your physicians before scheduling surgery.

Why some are finding a case against them

Some experts are starting to find that back surgery isn’t the answer. In fact failed surgeries are starting to become common, putting patients and their families through more than they bargained for. With back pain being one of the top reasons that patients call the doctor, spinal fusion procedures are increasing in a huge way in the last 15 years.

Fortunately, major names in healthcare are starting to point out that surgery isn’t always the best option, leading many people to take a pause before thinking surgery is the only answer.

In fact studies are showing that those with disc issues that get surgery end up unable to return to work within a couple of years while those that treat it without surgery are often more likely to return to work in the same timeframe. In addition, those that get surgery are often becoming addicted to their painkiller medicine.

While you may think surgery is the only answer, you may want to talk to your us about your back pain and avoid surgery altogether.Your body will appreciate the natural approach and you’re more likely to see the results you want and in a more permanent capacity!

The prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been on the rise for years and the disorder is now believed to be one of the most frequent neurobehavioural disorders that affect children. ADHD typically originates during childhood and the effects can be lifelong. This disorder affects males three times more frequently than females. Those who suffer from ADHD are also more inclined to develop conduct disorder, antisocial behaviour, and drug abuse. Children with ADHD are at an increased risk of burns, fractures, head trauma and food poisoning.

The treatment for this disorder is done with the use of drugs which are aimed to decrease symptoms while improving function and well-being. Although, there is heavy debate regarding whether or not the benefits of this treatment outweigh the potential negative side effects that arise from the use of these drugs. Various side effects involve growth rate reductions, increased blood pressure and heart rate, insomnia, reduced appetite which may lead to anorexia, upset stomach and dizziness. An alternative to using these drugs that are accompanied with these side effects can be chiropractic care.

The focal point in this case study was a male who is three and a half years of age with symptoms that are similar to ADHD. The patient had been experiencing episodes of anger, irritability and violence while been in school. He also had several incidents of falls, ear infections and respiratory viruses. After meeting with a Chiropractor, the young male child was diagnosed with a subluxation in the upper cervical segment of the spinal cord, lack of neuromuscular coordination and a functional leg length discrepancy.

The patient was scheduled to participate in Chiropractic care at a frequency of twice each month and would not be using any of the usually drug therapies for patients with ADHD. After only one month of the Chiropractic care and regular scans it was noted that the thermal scan results had seen positive improvements. The parents and teachers had also observed and explained that the child displayed better attention, energy levels and has done better in school. Chiropractic care has many positive benefits for patients with ADHD.

How to Get Your Workouts in When You’re Busy

Life gets busy and most people struggle to fit everything into 24 hours. That’s why many people skip a regular workout routine, knowing that that’s one of those things that can be skipped in order to have more time getting their work done, spending time with their family, or finishing all of the chores at night.

The problem is we are not doing any favors for our health. Getting exercise is just as important as your daily shower or eating dinner, but it’s often overlooked as something that will be done only if there’s time. That’s why busy people are finding way to sneak in some exercise during the day without taking away from other things. Find out how you can squeeze in a workout even when you’re too busy.

Make your chores a workout

Have you ever noticed that you get tired after finishing the chores? Whether it’s cooking a 3-course meal for dinner, vacuuming the floors, or dusting the house, these activities involve movement and can count as exercise.

Instead of putting off the chores for another night, make the chores your exercise for today to kill two birds with one stone. Between the moving, the lifting, bending over, and scrubbing, you’re going to be working all kinds of muscles. Your chores can be a workout from hauling a load of clothes to the washing machine to walking around the entire lawn with your mower.

Doing something is better than nothing

Sometimes you have to remember that it’s better to do something that nothing at all. Even if you can’t hit the gym, you probably have time for a 15 minute walk around the neighborhood or playing with the kids at the park before dinner. Find opportunities for fitness during the day, even if it’s as simple as a walk around the office or a dance party with the kids before bed.

Make easy tasks harder

One trick that many fit people use is that they will make thing a little bit harder just for the exercise benefits that comes with it. For example, don’t park at that prime parking spot at the grocery store but instead take the farthest spot to give you an extra walk today.

Walk to the farthest bathroom from your office instead of the convenient one around the corner. Walk or bike to your lunch destination rather than getting in the car again. Skip the elevator to take the stairs. Look for opportunities to turn your easy tasks a little bit longer and more fitness-friendly.

Multi-tasking makes a difference

Lastly, make sure to find opportunities to exercise even during the most menial tasks. Multi-tasking can be found anywhere, whether it’s doing crunches during a conference call, stretching in the waiting room at an appointment, or doing lunges as you push your cart full of groceries around the store. Find opportunities to sneak something physical in while completing daily tasks.

You can get a workout in even during the busiest of schedules. Try these tips to become a little more fit even when life is too busy for it.